Technology Job Training & Support in Oregon

IT-Ready is an eight-week, full-time, classroom-based training program (M-F | 9a-4p) that will prepare you for the CompTIA A+ certification, a nationally recognized credential that is highly-valued by employers.

Code Oregon 2.0 is a comprehensive program dedicated to teaching Oregonians how to code. The program starts with online training powered by Treehouse, one of the largest online platforms for learning to code. Visit your local WorkSource Portland Metro center to get started.

TechHire is a training grant designed to provide young adults age 17-29 innovative training services, one-on-one advising, and support to gain employment in and advance to new positions in the manufacturing industry.

TechRise PDX provides training and services for young adults interested in a career in tech (ages 18-29). Participants work directly with a career coach to achieve their technology related career goals in both hardware and software jobs.

To find out if you’re eligible for the above resources or other support, contact your local OREGON WorkSource office.

WorkSource

Local WorkSource centers have more information on specific jobs and training programs available right now in these industries. WorkSource has special funding to help recruit, train, and place workers in these high-demand fields. Explore the information throughout the website or call or visit your nearest WorkSource center and ask about support from the Job Seeker Grant.

Welder

Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to join metal parts or fill holes and seams of metal products

Operate precision measuring devices, tools and equipment

Recognize characteristics of metals or alloys

Read blueprints and technical drawings

Work as a welder could be for you if you are:

Precise with your hand/eye coordination

An excellent, critical thinker

Mathematically inclined

Able to lift and move heavy objects

Welder helper positions are common entry-points to welding career paths.

Candidates who have completed short-term training programs in welding will have a competitive advantage.

While not required for all jobs, aspiring welders can obtain a multitude of certifications through the American Welding Society in nine different certification categories, from inspectors, supervisors and educators to radiographic interpreters, welding engineers and fabricators.

Medical Clerk/Receptionist

Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, and medical office visitors

Work as a Medical Clerk/Receptionist could be for you if you are:

Customer-service oriented

A multi-tasker

An excellent communicator

This role requires less than one year of training and preferably a certificate

Opportunities for advancement both in and outside of the medical field after experience as a Medical Clerk/Receptionist range from nursing and caregiving roles to traditional office admin and management

Dental Assistant

Assist the dentist by setting up equipment, preparing patients for treatment, keeping records and helping with patient care and administration of patient records and appointments

Work as a Dental Assistant could be for you if you are:

Detail-oriented

Customer-service oriented

Good with your hands

Up to one year of specialized training and a certificate is typically required and opportunities for advancement include, with additional training and education, work as a dental hygienist, or as a dentist

Licensed Practical Nurse

Provide care for ill, injured or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in a variety of settings including hospitals, doctors offices, nursing homes, private homes, group homes and similar institutions

Plan and manage patient care according to individual needs

Record patient medical histories

Work as a Licensed Practical Nurse could be for you if you are:

Compassionate and client-focused

Articulate

Someone who thinks on your feet/has good troubleshooting skills

Flexible and able to adapt quickly to challenges

To become a LPN you need an Associates Degree and to pass a licensing Exam

Training and experience as a CNA is preferred by some employers

Some LPNs go on to become Registered Nurses, though there are many opportunities for people with experience as LPNs

Able to work with mechanical elements and inspired by the challenges that come with them

Skilled and knowledgeable about monitoring, troubleshooting and repairing machines

A talented handy person who likes fixing things

Most openings as a maintenance mechanic require 1-3 years’ experience in mechanical/electrical maintenance.

Workers with experience in other manufacturing roles can transition into these positions with additional training.

Candidates who have completed a 1-2 year training program in Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance will have a competitive advantage. Many of these jobs require a Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) license.

With additional training and experience, workers can transition into Maintenance Supervisor roles.

Enter commands and observe system functioning to verify correct operations and detect errors

Set up equipment for employee use, performing or ensuring proper installation of cables, operating systems, or appropriate software

Work as a computer user support specialist could be for you if you are:

A practical, hands-on problem-solver

Someone who likes working with ideas and thinking through solutions

Customer-service oriented

A team-player

Computer user support specialists are entry-level positions.

About a third of all computer user support specialists have a Bachelor’s degree, 40% have some college or an Associates degree

With experience as a computer support specialist you could move on to become a Network Support Specialist/Administrator, then a Network and Computer System Administrator, Customer Success Manager or Systems Analyst.

Electrician

Plan layout and installation of electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures, based on job specifications and local codes

Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components

Test electrical systems or continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, or fixtures using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, or oscilloscopes, to ensure compatibility and safety of system

Use a variety of tools or equipment, such as power construction equipment, measuring devices, power tools, and testing equipment, such as oscilloscopes, ammeters, or test lamps

Inspect electrical systems, equipment, or components to identify hazards, defects, or the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes

Work as an Electrician could be for you if you are:

A problem-solver

Someone who takes initiative on a job site to achieve necessary tasks

Prompt and prepared to show up early and with the tools needed to get the job done

Someone who is able to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense

Someone who can combine pieces of information to form general conclusions

Someone with good near vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)

Mathematically-inclined

A critical thinker and can use good judgment in decision making

Apprenticeship programs last 5 years and includes classroom and on-the-job, paid training

Once the apprenticeship is completed, a journey card is issued and a license can be applied for and earned

Reach out to new and existing customers to increase product knowledge and ensure satisfaction and retention

Assist in providing input to the knowledge base, FAQs, product documentation and training

Work with the software development team to advocate customer needs, resolve issues, and make suggestions for future product enhancements

Work as a Customer Success Team Member could be for you if you are:

Able to understand complex client challenges and apply solutions to those challenges

Someone who has a genuine desire to help customers

A person who learns quickly to ensure product expertise

An attentive listener

An excellent communicator who can convey information effectively both verbally and written.

A person who has the skills and desire to thrive as part of a team

A Bachelor Degree in Sales is helpful, but not required

Customer service courses or experience in other fields will transfer nicely to the software industry

As a Customer Success Team Member you may naturally progress into a lead or manager of the department, or you may seek out additional technical training to move over to the development team, or you may be inclined to move into the sales department

Web Developer – Front-End, Back-End, Full-Stack

Meet with clients or management to discuss their needs and translate those needs in the technical specifications for a website

Write and maintain the technical code that powers a website and knits together the application, the server, and the database

Apply design principles to achieve desired aesthetics and usability

Integrate applications, graphics, audio, and video into the website

Work as a team member

Test for errors and usability

Work as a Web Developer could be for you if you are:

Problem-solver

A lifelong learners/Adaptable to learn new technologies

Creative/ Design-oriented

Detail-oriented and focused

A problem-solver

Collaborative

Someone who likes systems thinking & integration

Educational requirements for web developers vary with the setting they work in and the type of work they do. Requirements range from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree

Web developers need to have a thorough understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript programming languages. Throughout their career, web developers must keep up to date on new tools and computer languages

A Web Developer can focus on the look and feel of a website (Front-End), how the site interacts with the server and database (Back-End) or some developers handle all aspects of a website’s construction

Some Web Developers may choose to advance their technical skills and move into Software Development or focus on leading teams and projects and move into more of Technical Project Management role

Computer System Analyst

Research emerging technologies to decide if installing them can increase the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness

Devise ways to add new functionality to existing computer systems

Synthesize current business intelligence or trend data to support changes and action

Prepare an analysis of costs and benefits so that management can decide if IT systems and computing infrastructure upgrades are financially worthwhile

Oversee the installation and configuration of new systems to customize them for the organization

Train the systems’ end users and write instruction manuals

Work as a Computer Systems Analyst could be for you if you are:

Someone who likes working with ideas and thinking through solutions

A problem-solver who likes to explore facts and information to fuel solutions

A data lover with a keen eye for details

A great communicator who explain complex issues in a way that both IT workers and management will understand

Most computer systems analysts have a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field. Because these analysts also are heavily involved in the business side of a company, it may be helpful to take business courses or major in management information systems Although many computer systems analysts have technical degrees, such a degree is not always a requirement. Many analysts have liberal arts degrees and have gained programming or technical expertise elsewhere.

Individuals that work in Systems Analyst positions can transition into lead worker or leadership positions